Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1887-03-28
4eligluu6 experiment.
Everyday Religion

We could mention numbers Of men
who are as consecrated in their Chris
tan life as they are thorough in theil
businesses life. Their religion comes
out in their business, not indeed after
the fashion of the grocer who wrap
ped each pound of butter in tract,
or Of the restaurant eeper who dis
| PLAYED texts of Scripture about his
walls, but invariably covered his ta-
bles with dirty cloths, and interlarded
meals with abundant quotations from
the Scriptures. This was cant. Re-
ligion and business, seemingly so diff
ferent in the natures, will do for oil
and water. A most happy combina-
ton is possible. 1t is possible to see
in one and the same life the distinct
tive elements which are the marks of
a business man and the principles
that reveal the grace within. 1t would
be unwarrantable to say that a man
cannot be a good Christian and a
good business man at the same time,
for divine authority has united Chris
tianitv and business in lasting we'd
lock. What God has joined together
let not man put asunder. A most
honorable union is constituted in
these words: "NOt slothful in bust
ness, fervent in spirit, serving the
Lord" A consecrated Christian man
amid the busy scenes of commercial
life is a sight worthy of the reflection
of angels. Such a man does not
make a business of religion, but he
rather makes religion of business.
Visitors to the British dock-yards
tell us that all the official property of
the head of the nation is marked with
a s'broad arrow where that is
possible. In the case of the ropes
a scarlet strand, running through
each rope, takes the place of the
''broad arrow A suggestive illus
tration surely. The redeeming mark
will be upon the Christians business
transactions. In his dealings with
his fellow-men he will endeavor
to make his life an exponent of
Christian principle.
Christ said to Zaccheus, of Jericho,
This day is salvation come to this
house" but this was not said until
Zaccheus plainly showed that he
comprehended that religion had some
thing to do with his business affairs.
Religion is certainly not a matter of
mere words, or orators and rhetor-
leans might lay special claim to pos
ition in the kingdom of grace. Relig-
ion is a matter of deeds. God re-
quires of rs that we ''do justly, love
mercy and walk humbly with our
God" These three things cover
broad ground. In the day Of ac-
count the Master will say to those
upon his right hand. ''Inasmuch as
We did it." etc.. while those upon his
left hand will hear the sentence of
condemnation because their lives
failed to produce the deeds needed to
their claims to a place
the elect.
We all, no doubt, need to learn
that Christianity is a matter more of |
the life than the lips. Of course we
thoroughly believe this theoretically, |
but does this particular faith show it
self in our works?
According to the apostolic in
junction we are to put on the Lord |
Jesus. This can only be done as he |
is the hidden man of the hearts We |
can only put on Christ by putting
forth Christ in our lives.
The thoroughly practical nature
of godliness can never be set forth to
better advantage than as it is seen
sanctifyi g the daily life, giving it
color and beauty The office desk.
the store counter, the bench in the
shop, will make a grand pulpit from
which to preach by the unanswerable
logic of a daily Christian life, the
saving, keeping, elevating power of
the gospel. There is comfort in all
this to the man who desires to live to
the honor and glory of God, and who
cannot be minister Of the Word or
a missionary to some heather nation.
1.-The daily round, the common
task" are field enough in which to
produce very luxuriantly the rich
fruits of the Spirit. On the other
hand, the man that cannot serve
God in such a sphere hath neither
part nor lot in this matter.
A gentleman said he had great
faith in mothers prayers. He be-
lleved mother would pray as no
one else, and prevail with God. He
: ioke Of a soldier who went to the war
against his mothers will, but was